Why is eliciting the startle reflex in infants performed?

• A. It may be useful for assessing hearing in infants.
• B. It predicts feeding readiness.
• C. It reflects motor development.
• D. It determines sleep-wake cycles.

Answer: (A)

The startle reflex in newborns is a quick, automatic response to a sudden stimulus, often described as the Moro reaction. It serves as a simple bedside check of the auditory pathway and brainstem function. When a loud or abrupt sound is heard, a normal infant should startle, indicating that the auditory pathways up to the brainstem are responsive. If the reflex is present, it supports that hearing is at least functioning at a basic level; if it’s absent or abnormal, it raises concern for possible hearing loss or central nervous system issues, and further hearing evaluation is warranted. This reflex is not a direct measure of feeding readiness, motor development, or sleep-wake cycles; those are assessed with other observations and tests. In typical development, the reflex is present at birth and gradually disappears as higher brain centers mature, usually integrating by about 4 to 6 months.